Aeroplane flying-machine.



1 H. OSTRANDER.

AEROPLANE FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.15. I912.

41; 11 m Patented Apr.13,1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

IN: -um l rlllkLNS (20.. FHCITO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

J. H. OSTRANDER.

AEROPLANE FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15. I912.

L1 35AM 1 Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-$111531 2.

THE NORRIS F'ETER5 60., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON D. c.

l. H. OSTRANDER.

AEROPLANE FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mm) AUG 15 1912 Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 3 JAMES H. OSTRANDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AEROPLANE FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915..

Application filed August 15, 1912. Serial No. 715,153.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMns H. OSTRANDER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane F lying-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The accidents in the use of heavier than air flying machines, many of them resulting fatally, have demonstrated the existence of certain peculiar atmospheric and air current conditions which had heretofore not been understood or even known. Among these are the holes in the air (popularly socalled), which have been found to be either rising or descending vortices which frequently afiect relatively small areas. These are similar to the so-called dust whirl winds the presence of which is manifested by the spirally ascending column of dust raised from the surface of the ground. Such vortices had been unknown, because, occur ring at a height above the earth, no foreign matter is usually present to render visible the effect thereof. While the movement at the surface of the earth of such a vortex at the axis of rotation appears always to be upward, such vortices at a height above the surface of the earth appear to move downwardly as well as upwardly, and the de scending vortex is thought to be the so-called hole in the air which has been responsible for the death or serious injury of many aeronauts. The area affected are usually small, though sometimes of considerable extent. "Where a large area is affected, the downward movement, however, is relatively slow and rarely occasions accidents. Where the distance across the vortex is small, the downward movement is so rapid that the machine frequently falls with its aviator, the vortex not only carrying the machine rapidly downward, but seriously affecting the control thereof. Another serious cause of accidental injury and death among aviators, is found in the fact that with some types of machines, the engine is positioned behind, and sometimes above, the aviator, so that, in the event of an accident, the

heavy engine breaks away from the frame, falling upon its operator.

It is an object of this invention to afford a multiple plane machine of the class described, so constructed as to practically bridge the smaller vortices, whether upward or downward moving, carrying the machine thereby across the vortex in safety.

It is a further object of the invention to afford a construction embodying an exceedingly strong and rigid, but light, frame, supported by a plurality of sets of planes, and equipped with a plurality of complete motor plants and propellers, any or all of which may be utilized to drive the machine.

It is also an object of the invention to so arrange the power plant or plants of the machine, as to afford high stability and to best protect the operator.

It is further an object of the invention to afford a construction in which the center of gravity is sufficiently low as to materially assist 1n maintaining stability.

A preferred form of the invention is hereinafter more fully illustrated and described.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 38 of Fig. 1, with parts omitted. Fig. 41 is an enlarged section on line H of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detail longitudinal section. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section on line 66 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the planes. Fig. 8 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the spring mounted supporting wheel at the forward end of the machine.

As shown in the drawings: The frame comprises parallel longitudinal lowerframe members 1, and upper frame members 2, arranged at the top and the bottom of the frame respectively, and on opposite sides the center. Said lower frame members are connected by means of relatively short transverse struts 3. The upper members are connected by struts l, of approximately double the length of the struts 3, and connecting the lower and the upper frame member at each side of the machine and at the ends of the upper and lower struts are upwardly and outwardly inclined diagonal tie members 5. Extending upwardly from the lower frame members 1, are vertical frame members 6, which are connected at their upper ends with the strut 4, and are also connected together by means of a transverse frame member 7, adjacent said upper struts.

The'frame so formed, may be constructed of any light, strong and durable material, light metallic tubing serving the purpose admirably. Extending downwardly from the front end'of the frame, is a spring pressed fork 8, having a wheel 9, journaled at the lower. end thereof, and connected with said fork adjacent the wheel, and, if preferred, by means of the axle thereof, is a brace member 10, having a spring actuated sleeve 10 journaled also in wheel 9, which is hingedly connected with the main frame, as shown in Fig. 1 At the rear end-of the frame is a skid or pair of skids 11, on which, or each of which, is journaled a wheel 12, similar to the wheel 9, before described,

and" up'onjwhich the machine rests and butleaves the middle of the frame for sub- 5 stantially its entire length practically without obstruction.

I Supported in a sub-frame near the front endof the main frame,is the internal combustion (or' other) engine 1 1, driving a tractor fan 15, and likewise mounted upon a suitable frame 16, on the bottom members near the middle of the machine and at the rear of the middle or other motors 14 and 1a", each provided with a tractor as before described with reference to the engine or motor '14.;

Mounted upon the top members 2, of the main frame are three sets A, B and 0,-of

' three'planes, which are separated from each other by relatively 'wide and unobstructed space therebetween, and in which the individual planeslfl ,18 and 19 of each set are spaced asuflicient distance apart to permit the air to pass therebetween. I have shown for clea rness said planes as flat, but, of

course, I intend that in theactual construction of the'machine, planes embodying the most advanced ideas in the eflioient disposal .of the supporting medium shall be used."

"Mounted upon the frame members below the sets'ofaeroplanes A, B and C, are threegroups of four planes each, indicated as 21,

22, 23, and 24, arranged to break joints with the planes above the same, and may be either rigidly secured in place at the proper angleformay. be'adjustably supported as preferred. Each of' said planes, of the I a suitable floor or support 26, at the front end of the machine and rearwardly of the controlling upright shafts 37, is a lever 27, fulcrumed at its lower end upon the frame, and having connected therewith the otherwise free ends of the lines 27", which are served about sheaves 28, and thence lead rearwardly to the rear vertical rudder 28.

Mounted on an upwardly and forwardly extending frameat the front end of the machine, are the relatively small elevator planes 29 and 30, and leading therefrom and downwardly through sheaves 31, are lines 32, which are carried about and secured to a suitable sheave 33, secured to lo tate with the shaft 37, at the upper end of which is secured a wheel 38, adapted for manual engagement in operating the machine. The arrangement is such that when the staff or shaft upon which said sheave is secured, is rotated in one. direction, the elevator planes are shifted to afford maximum lifting effort, and when shifted in the opposite direction, act oppositely, that is to say, to direct the machine downwardly. The ends of the planes of the upper groups are connected with the ends of the lower planes by means of piano wire ties 39.

The operation is as follows: The fork 8, is sufficiently long tosupport the front end of the'machine above the ground, so that the planes of the machine are directed obliquely and upwardly against the wind.

Vhen the power is turned on, the elevators 29 and 30, are, of course, adjusted to afford the requisite lifting effect, together with said planes at the front end of the machine, and the machine rises from the ground, assuming the angle from the horizontal in the air suitable to obtain the effect of the atmosphere as the machine is driven ahead.

Owing to the length of the main frame, and the distance between the groups of planes, it follows that a very long machine is provided having planes distributed for the length thereof to best support the same, so that in the event of encountering a vortex in the airacting to deflect or elevate the machine from its course, the length of the machine serves to prev ent such deflection owing to the fact that the front end of the machine may be Well across the vortex and supported suitably upon the air while the other end of the machine is still supported upon the normal air currents, thus tending to prevent the machine falling because of such vortex. Of course, with the larger vortices wherein the movement of the current is relatively slow, suflicient time is usually afforded to adjust the machineto prevent.

any material descent. Inasmuch too, as the operator is positioned above the front motor or engine, and at a suitable distance from the other power plants on said machine, the danger of accident from fall is minimized thereby.

It is, of course, to be-u-nderstood that any suitable arrangement of piano wire or other braces may be used, or other materials substituted, and that in lieu of light metallic tubes such as bicycle tubing, strong bamboo or cane or other suitable vegetable frame members may be employed, if desired.

Of course, it is to be understood that numerous details of the construction may be modified without departing from the principles of this invention, and that I do not purpose limiting the patent granted on this application otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described a longitudinally extended frame comprising continuous, connected lower longitudinal members and upper longitudinal members, a plurality of groups of aeroplanes arranged respectively at each end of the frame and intermediate the ends of the frame and affording a broad interval between the groups, each group comprising a series of upper and lower planes arranged in staggered relation, elevating and guiding mechanism, a motor supported below the lower longitudinal frame members, and a propeller driven thereby.

2. A longitudinally extended frame comprising lower parallel longitudinal members, and upper parallel longitudinal mem-.

bers arranged above and outwardly from the lower, longitudinal frame members arranged between the lower longitudinal members and the upper longitudinal members, struts rigidly connecting all said longitudinal members, a plurality of independent motors supported on the lower frame members, a propeller driven by each, a plurality of groups of aeroplanes secured on the upper longitudinal members, a plurality of groups of lower aeroplanes secured on the intermediate longitudinal members and out of vertical alinement with the upper planes, an operators station near the front end of said frame, elevating and guiding mecha nisms for the machine, and connections therewith leading to the operators station.

3. A machine of the class described embracing a longitudinally extended frame, a group of aeroplanes secured at each end of said frame, and extending laterally on each side thereof, an open space in each aeroplane at the middle of each plane, groups of lower aeroplanes secured on the frame below and out of alinement with the upper groups, a

plurality of independent motors. and propellers for driving the machine, an operators station, elevating and guiding planes, one at each end of the frame, and operative connections therewith leading therefrom to the operators station.

4. In a machine of the class described a plurality of groups of planes, the upper planes of each group being centrally and longitudinally slotted and offset relative the lower planes, a longitudinally extended frame rigidly connecting the planes at suitable intervals apart, and an independent motor and propeller for each group of planes.

5. A machine of the class described embracing a longitudinal frame, a plurality of groups of aeroplanes secured at each end of the frame and intermediate the ends of the frame and affording a broad interval therebetween, a plurality of groups of lower planes supported below the upper and out of vertical alinement therewith, elevating and guiding mechanism on the frame, motors supported below the planes, a propeller driven by each, an operators station on the therewith, a motor and tractor for driving the machine, and mechanism controllable by an operator for elevating and guiding the machine.

7. A machine of the class described comprising a longitudinally extended frame embracing lower, parallel, longitudinal rods, upper parallel longitudinal rods positioned above and outwardly therefrom, struts connecting said longitudinal members, diagonally arranged bracing and tension members connecting said longitudinal rods near the connection of the struts therewith, said lower longitudinal rods being sufficiently below the upper to afford a relatively deep frame, a plurality of groups of laterally eX- tending upper and lower planes secured on said frame at and near the top thereof, said lower planes arranged one behind the other 7 frame from front to -rear, elevating and V gulding mechamsms secured on the frame,

an operators station, and operative connectlonsto the operators station. e 8. In amachme of the class described a 1 fdeep longitudinal-extended frame comprising connected, lower, parallel, longitudinal rods, connected upper parallel longitudinal rods spaced a greater distance apart than the lower, struts connecting the lower and upper rods on' each side of the machine,

groups of aeroplanes secured above and be- I low the upper longitudinal rods, each group comprising centrally slotted upper planes and lower planes disposed in staggered relation therebeneath, and a plurality of motors and tractors mounted on the lower frame rods to drive the machine.

9. In a machine of the class described a frame, a plurality of groups of superposed .:aeroplanes extending on each side thereof,

each of said groups comprising upper and Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the longitudinally extended frame, groups of aeroplanes at each end thereof and intermediate the ends, each group comprising centrally slotted upper planes and lower planes staggered therebeneath, adjustable elevating planes carried on the front end of the machine, means controlled by an operator for adjusting the same, a rudder, and means controlling the' same, resilient means for supporting the machine upon the ground with the front end thereof elevated, and a motor supported on said frame and below the same.

11. In a device of the class described a relatively long frame, a plurality of aeroplanes mounted thereon one above theother and transversely of said frame, an opening in the upper of said aeroplanes, a plurality of power plants mounted upon the lower portion of said frame, a power plant suspended from the lower portion of the forward end of said frame, and an operators seat arranged above and forwardly of said latter power plant.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name 1n the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES H. OSTRANDER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. I-IILLs, J12, LAWRENCE REIBSTEIN.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

